Dopamine regulation of human speech and bird song: a critical review.

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Abstract

To understand the neural basis of human speech control, extensive research has been
done using a variety of methodologies in a range of experimental models. Nevertheless,
several critical questions about learned vocal motor control still remain open. One
of them is the mechanism(s) by which neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, modulate
speech and song production. In this review, we bring together the two fields of investigations
of dopamine action on voice control in humans and songbirds, who share similar behavioral
and neural mechanisms for speech and song production. While human studies investigating
the role of dopamine in speech control are limited to reports in neurological patients,
research on dopaminergic modulation of bird song control has recently expanded our
views on how this system might be organized. We discuss the parallels between bird
song and human speech from the perspective of dopaminergic control as well as outline
important differences between these species.

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Dr. Jarvis' laboratory studies the neurobiology of vocal communication. Emphasis is
placed on the molecular pathways involved in the perception and production of learned
vocalizations. They use an integrative approach that combines behavioral, anatomical,
electrophysiological and molecular biological techniques. The main animal model used
is songbirds, one of the few vertebrate groups that evolved the ability to learn vocalizations.
The generality of the discoveries is tested in other vocal

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